Alessi - Frédéric Gooris - Corkscrew - ''Virgula Divina'' - 18/10 stainless steel

Thi ''Virgula Divina'' bottle opener was designed by Belgian designer Frédéric Gooris as a playful reinterpretation of one of humanity’s oldest tools for searching for hidden treasures: the divining rod. Its name, Virgula Divina, is the Latin term associated with the Y-shaped dowsing rod traditionally used to search for underground water. This centuries-old practice provided Gooris with both the inspiration and the distinctive form for his design. 

The concept is based on a wonderfully simple analogy. A traditional dowser uses a forked branch to search for water hidden beneath the ground; the ''Virgula Divina'' instead uses the same archetypal Y-shape to provide access to the liquid hidden inside a bottle. Gooris translated the naturally branching form of a wooden divining rod into a smooth, highly polished object in stainless steel, turning something primitive and organic into a refined piece of contemporary design. 

The distinctive shape is not merely decorative. Made from precision-cast steel, its gently curved Y-form provides a comfortable and ergonomic grip. One branch incorporates a hook-shaped opening designed to catch underneath the bottle cap, while the slight angle of the body provides the leverage required to remove it with a simple movement of the wrist. The result is an object in which the visual concept and practical function are inseparably connected.

Despite its sculptural appearance, ''Virgula Divina'' remains compact and highly functional. Its small dimensions make it suitable for use at home, behind a bar or on the move. The bottle opener forms part of Alessi’s Objet Bijoux collection, a series of small functional objects conceived with the refinement and character of pieces of jewellery. In this context, ''Virgula Divina'' becomes more than a bottle opener: it is a miniature design object that transforms an everyday gesture into something playful and unexpected. 

Use:
Position the hooked section beneath the edge of a bottle cap and hold the curved body firmly in the hand. The carefully considered angle of the opener provides leverage, allowing the cap to be removed with a simple movement of the wrist. 
Condition:

New and unused, complete with original packaging.

Dimensions:
10.6 x 5.6 cm, height 1.4 cm. 

Designer – Frédéric Gooris:
Belgian designer Frédéric Gooris approaches everyday objects with a combination of functionality, simplicity and conceptual playfulness. With ''Virgula Divina'', this philosophy is particularly evident: the ancient image of the divining rod is transformed into a practical contemporary object, while the familiar Y-shaped silhouette immediately communicates the story behind the design. The result is characteristic of Alessi’s approach to design, where even a simple household utensil can become an expressive and memorable object